This episode's guest is Scott Schnell, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Iowa and the former co-editor of Asian Ethnology. Scott discusses his research interests and perspectives, his work on dissident writer and ethnographer, Ema Shū, and his research on matagi (bear hunters).
Episode Summary
- Intro :43
- Initial interest in Japan 1:54
- Environmental issues, studies about mountain areas 3:43
- Research in Furukawa, discussion about The Rousing Drum, rituals 8:20
- Research on Ema Shū, published in Asian Folklore Studies 13:40
- Local hunters as guides and intermediaries
- mountains as conduits
- female mountain deity (yama no kami) 17:00
- Topic of matagi (traditional hunters) and their interest in environment represented through belief in yama no kami 20:07
- Daily life of matagi 28:45
- Ideas of Japanese people, environment, nature, limits of consumption 34:43
- Aspects of current research
- Animism
- Attitudes toward matagi
- Ministry of Environment's support of matagi
- Tourism 39:59
- Doing fieldwork with bear hunters
- Skills of matagi used for search and rescue
- Research into matagi 47:16
Outro 47:40
Music used with kind permission of the performer, shamisen master Koji Yamaguchi.
Copyright 2017 by Asian Ethnology Podcast
